Liquid dispensing can



March 14, 1933. P, D. FULTON LIQUID DISPENSING CAN MENTOR. PA U1. 0. FUL TON.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 9, 1950 ATTORNEY ATTb 'A/EY 'March ll, 1933. P. D. FULTON LIQUID DISPENSING CAN Filed Jan. 9, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 14-, 1933 U tit ED STATES PATENT oFFic' f PAUL J). FULTON, or DAYTON,.0HIO, AssIGNon To THE HUFFMAN MANUFACTURING COMPANY, or DAYTON, onro, Acon'ronATIoN or onro I j LIQUID nIsrnNsINe CAN Application filed January 9,1930. Serial No. 419,605.'.

This invention relates to liquid dispensing in its construction and operation andwhich cans and more particularly to the type of measuring can which is commonly employed for delivering oil to the crank case of an automobile, the present invention being an improvement on the device shown and described in the application for patent filed by R. G. Wilson and R. M. Wilson on June 13, 1929, Serial No. 370,600, which has matured into Patent No. 1,783,457, dated December 2, 1930.

In oil measuring cans of the type referred to the oil is discharged from the lower portion of the can through a tiltable spout which is retained normally in an upright position but may be lowered into an operative pos1-.

tion to permit of the discharge of the oil therethrough. The discharge of the oil through the spout is controlled by a valve which is actuated by a suitable operating device and means are provided for retaining the operating device in a position to hold the valve open during the discharge of the oil. It sometimes happens that the can will be filled with the spout in its upright position but with the valve open, thereby causing the spout to be filled to the same level as the can. This results not only in the delivery of excess quantity of oil but when the spoutis lowered the oil will spurt therefrom before the spout can be inserted in the crank case, thus causing a waste of oil and causing oil to be splashed over the engine. In the lVilson application above referred to the spout retaining device is of such a character that the spout cannot be inserted therein when the valveis open.

One object of the present invention is to provide a liquid dispensing can of this character having means for causing the valve to he closed whenever the spout is secured in its upright position.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a dispensing can having means for positively releasing the valve operating device, to permit the valve to be closed, when the spout is operatively engaged with its retaining device.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a device which will be very simple will not interfere-with dispensing can. p

Other objects of the invention will appear as the device is described.

In theaccompanying drawings? Fig-1 is a vert1cal sectlonalviewtaken through a can F a-vamp equipped with my invention; plan view of such a can; i

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a portion 'of'such a can showing a slightly modified i'or'm of the invention; Fig. 4 is a top plan Viewof a can equipped-with another'form ofthe invention; and Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken through the can ofFig. l. x: i i I;

In these drawings 1 aveillustrated several embodiments of the invention and have shown the same as applied to anoil measuring can of a well known type but it will be understood that the invention maytake various forms. and'may be applied tofliqu id dispensing cans of various kinds. 1

In each of the.embodiments. here, illustrated the means for retainingfthe spout in an upright position comprises a stationary member which constitutes the retaining de vice proper and. which is of such a character that the spout whenin operative engagement therewith will be held in an'upright position. The spoutretaining means further,

comprises a part which constitutes a controlthe normal useo'f the ling device and is. movableinto andout of i a position in which it will prevent the spout from operatively engaging the stationary part, and this movablepart isso connected with the valve operating-device that it will be retained in said position 'whenever'the valve is open. The movable part maybeof such a character'and so connected with the valve operating device-that it will be actuated by the spout to cause the valve to be closed when the spout is moved; into operative engagement with the stationary part, or

it may be of such "a character and so connected with the. valve operating device that' the movement of the latterto close the valve will withdraw the movable part to a position -,which will permit the spout to operatively engage the stationary part.

r: as

vention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 the measuring can Comprises a receptacle 5 having.

12. Rigidlysecured to the 'lever'll is an ac T tuating rod 13 which extends upwardly along the .side of the can to a point near the top thereof where it is provided with a thumb piece 14 which is arranged above and adjacent to a handle 15. by means of which the can is supported. The operating rod 13 extends through a guide .16 having a longitudinal slot 17 in which the rod mayihave movement to operate the valve. A spring 18 acts on the rod to move the same in a direction to close the valve. Any suitable means'may be provided for retaining the operating rod in its retracted position, in which position the valve will be held open.. .In the present construction the guide 16 is provided at one side of the slot with a recess or notch 19 7 adapted to receive the rod 13 and thus hold membersor fingers 21 rigidly secured to the same in its retracted position, the rod being capable of sufficient lateral movement to permit it to be moved into and out 'of the retaining notch. The receptacle 5 has at I its upper end an outwardly flared top por tion 20 shaped to prevent oil from splashing over the edge of the receptacle. The receptacle is provided with a suitable device to retain thespout in its upright position and, in the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2, this retaining device comprises'a pair of'resilient top portion 20 of the receptacle. A

F or the purpose of causing the valve to be closed whenever the spout is secured in its upright position I haVe provided a device which will be actuated to release the valve operating device from the recess 19 and thus the bar having a longitudinal slot 23 to receive a stud 24 carried by the guide. The

' *rear end of the bar is tapered or beveled, as

shown at 25, and this tapered portion is so arranged that when the'bar isin' its foremost positlon, itwill not be inoperative engage inent with the valve operating rod but when p the bar is moved rearwardly the tapered edge of the bar will engage the rod and force the same, out of the recess 19. The bar is held normally in its'foremost position by a spring 26, whichmay be of any suitable character but which is here shown as a tension spring extends through an opening in the top por- I tion thereof. The projecting end of the bar extends between the resilient fingers 21 and is 'of such a length that it will be engaged by the spout as the latter is inserted between the lingers and Will thus be forced rearwardly by the insertion of the spout between the fingers, thus releasing the valve operating device and causing the valve to be closed.

In that form the valve releasing device is in the form of a bar 27 pivotally mounted at 28.0n the guide 16 and has its rear end arranged alongside of the valve actuating rod 13.- The forward end of the rod extends throughv a slot 29 in the top portion 20 of the receptacle 5 and is arrangedin such relation-to the spout retaining device that when the spout is moved into operative engagement with the retaining device the rod will be moved about its axis in a direction to cause the rear end thereof to force the valve operating rod out of its retaining recess. The spout retaining device may be of any suitable character but, in the present instance, I have shown a single retaining member 30 and the outer end portion f'of' the rod 27 cooperates with this single member in retaining the spout in its upright position, the end portion'of the. rod being preferably inclined, as shown at 31, to facilitate the insertionof the spout and to insure sufficient movement being imparted-to the rod to release the valve.

In the mechanism as above described the controlling device will prevent the s'poutf from being moved into operative engagement with the spout retaining device so long as the valve is open but the controlling device may be moved by pressure exerted on the spout to release the valve and cause it to be closed, thereby permitting the spout to engage the retaining device. In Figs. 4 and 5 I have shown another form in which the controlling device is so connected with the valve operating mechanism as to be controlledthereby. In those figures the can 33 is similar to that above described and comprises a bottom 34, a top 35 and atilt-able spout 36. The valve 37 is carried by one end of a lever 38 which is pivotally mounted between its ends on a bracket 39. An actuating rod 40 is connectof thedevice shown in Fig. 3

ed with that end of the lever38 opposite the valve and has vertical movement ina guide 41. A-spring 42 acts on the rod to hold the same'normally in its elevated position, with the valve closed,: and the rod has a thumb to open the valve. The guide 41 has a slot 44 intowhich a narrow portion of the rod40 may be inserted to hold the valve in its open position. The spout retaining device is in the form of a hook 45 secured to the front of the can. a

The device which controls the operative engagement of the spout with the hook 4:5 is in the form of a finger or guard 46 slidably mounted in an opening in the top 35 of the can and movable into and out of a position to close the open side of the hook l5. This finger is pivotally mounted on the upper end of a lever 47 Which is pivotally mounted near its lower end on a bracket 48. That end of the lever below the bracket is connected by a link 49 with the rod 40, the arrangement being such that the vertical movement ofthe rod to open and close the valve will move the.

finger is moved forwardly across the open side of the hook and the spout cannot be engaged with the hook until the rod has been positively operated to retract the finger.

WVhile I have shown and described'one embodiment of the invention, together'with certain modifications thereof, I wishit tobe understood that I do not desire to be limited to the details thereof as various modifi cations may occur to a person skilled in the art. 1

Having now fully described my invention,

i What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: v

1. In'a liquid dispensing can comprising a receptacle, a tiltable spout leading from the lower portionof said receptacle, and a valve to control the discharge of liquid through said spout, means arranged to be engaged by said spout when the latter is moved to an upright position to cause said valve to be closed and to retain said spout in said upright positien.

2. In a liquid dispensing can comprising a receptacle, a tiltable spout leading from the lower portion of said receptacle, a valve to control the discharge of liquid through said spout, and means to retain said valve in its open position, means arranged to be engaged by said spout when the later is moved to an upright position to retain said spout in said upright position and to release said valve from said retaining means. I

3. In a liquid dispensing can comprising a receptacle, a tiltable' spout leading from the lower portion of said receptacle, a valve to control the discharge of liquid through said spout, and means to retain said valve in its open position, a spout retaining member secured to the upper portion of said receptacle,

and a valve releasing device having a part arranged to be actuated by said spout when the latter is moved into engagement withsaid retaining member. I

. 4; In a l1qu1d dispensingv can comprising a receptacle, a tilt-able d scharge spout lead:

ing from the lower portion of said receptacle,-

a valve to control thedischarge-ofliquid through said spout, and a device to retain a 5. In a liquid dispensing can comprising a receptacle, a tiltable discharge spout. leading from the lower portion of saidreceptacle, a valve to controlthe-discharge of liquid through saidspoutjand a device to retain said spout in'an upright position, means for closing said valve comprising a partar ranged to be engaged and actuated by said; spout when the latter is moved'into operative engagement with said spout retaining device,

6. In a liquiddispensing can comprising a receptacle, a tiltabledischarge' spout leading from the lower portion of said receptacle,

a valve to control the discharge of liquid I through said spout, means-to retain said valve in its open pos tion,-and a device-toretain said spout in an upright position, a device to release said valveYfrom itsretaining means, said releasing device vhaving a part9 arranged to be actuated by the movement of said spout into operative engagement with said spout-retaining device.

7 Ina liqu1d dispensing can COHIPIlSlIlg a receptacle, a tiltable spout leading from the lower portion of said receptacle, a valve to control the discharge of liquid through said spout, a spring actuated member to normally close said valve, and 'means to retain said member in a retracted position, a'spout re.- taining member arranged to engagev said spout when the latter is moved to an upright position, and a device arranged to beactuated by said spout to release said spring actuated member when said spout is moved into engagement with itsretainingmember;

8. Ina liquid dispensing'can comprising areceptacle, a tiltable dischargejspoutleading from'the lower portion of'saidreceptacle, a valve to control the discharge of liquid through said spout, a device to operate said valve, means to retain'said'operating device in a position to hold said valve open, and a device to retain: said'spout in an upright p0 sition, means actuated by said spout when the latter is] moved into operative engagement with said spout retaining device to release said valvev operating device from itsreta n ng means.

9. In a liquiddispnsing can comprising a 1 receptacle, a tiltable spout leading from the lower portion of :said receptacle, a valve' to control the discharge of 'liquid'through'said spout, avalve operating device, a stop to retain said device in a position to open said valve, and a device to retain said spout in an upright position, a movable device having a part arranged to be actuated by said spout when the latter is moved into operative ena ement with said snout retainin device I: .L h

'With said spout retaining device. 7

-11. In a liquiddispensing can comprising v receptacle, a tiltable spout leading from the lower portion of said receptacle, a valve to and also having a part tomove said valve operating device out of engagement with said stop.

- 10. Ina liquid dispensing can comprising 'a receptacle, a tiltable spout leading from the lowerportion of said receptacle, a valve to control the discharge of liquid through said spout, a valve operating member connected with said va'lve, a guide carried by said receptacle and through which said valve actuating member extends, a spring actington said valve operating member tomove the" same 1n a direction to close the valve, said guide having "a recess to receive said operating member control the discharge of liquid through said spout, a valve operating member connected with said valve, a guide carried by said receptacie and through which said valve actuating member extends, a spring acting on said valve operating member to move the same in a direction to close the valve, said guide having a're-cess to receive said operating member and hold the same 1n its retracted posltion, and a device to retain said spout 1n an upright position, a bar slidably mounted on, said guide, having an inclined edgeto engage said valve operating member and move the same from said recess and also having a part e arranged to be engaged'and actuated said spout when the latter 1s moved mto operative engagement with said spout retaining device, and a spring acting on said bar to hold the same normally in a position to be'engaged by said spout. V '12. In a liquid dispensing can comprising a receptacle,a tiltable discharge spout leadingfrom the lower'portion of said receptacle,

a valve to control the dischargeLo-f liquid through said-spout, a device to actuate said valve, and adevice to retainisaid spout in an upright position, a device having a part to prevent said spout fromoperatively engag5 ing said retaining device and also having a partso arranged With relation to said valve actuating device that the'first mentioned part may be moved to an inoperative position whensaidvalve actuating device is operated to close the valve. f Y

18. In a liquid dispensing can comprising a receptacle, a tiltable discharge spout lead ing from the lower portion of said receptacle, a valve to control the discharge of liquid through said spout, means to retain said valve in its open position, and'a device to retain said spout in an upright position, adevice controlled by said valve retaining means to prevent said spout from operatively engage ing said spout retaining device while said valve is retained in its open position.

14. In a liquid dispensing can comprising 1 a receptacle, a tiltable discharge spout lead ing from thelower portion of said receptacle, a valve to control .theidischarge offliquid through said spout, means to retain said valve in its open position, a device to retain-said spout in an uprightposition, and a device havin a part movable into and out of aposition to prevent said spout "from operatively en: gagingsaid spout retaining device and also having a part so arranged with relation tov said valve retaining means as to prevent the movement of said first mentioned part from said position while said valve is retained in its open position. a v 7 1 5. In a liquid dispensing cancornprismg a receptacle, atiltabl-e discharge spoutlead- 7 ing from the lowerportion ofsaid receptacle, a valve to control, the discharge of liquid through said spout, a'device to actuate said valve, and a device to retainvsaid spout in its ii upright position, a controlling device com-V prising a part mounted for movement into and out-of a position to prevent said spout from engaging said snoutvretaining device, and means for so connecting said controlli-ng device with said valve actuating device that said part will be retained in a position to prevent said spout from engaging said spout r etaining device when said valve actuating device is in a position to open said valve, 7

.16. In a liquid dispensing-can comprising a receptacle, a tiltable discharge spout leading from the lower portion of said receptacle, a valve to control the discharge of liquid through said spout, a device to actuate said valve, and a hook to receive said spoutand V retain the same in an upright position, a

member mounted for movement into and out of a position toclose the open side of said hook, andmeans for so connecting said member with saidvalve actuating device that the movement of the latter to open said valve will move said member to a position to close the open side of said ehoolrand the movement of said valveactuating deviceto close said valve will withdraw said member from said'l position. v a j 17. In a liquid dispensing can comprising 1 a receptacle, a tiltable discharge'spout'leade ing from the lowerportion of said recep tacle, a valve to control the discharge of liquid through said spout, a spring actuated device to actuate said valve, and a stop to hold said device against movement by said spring in a direction to close the valve, a device to retain said spout in an upright position comprising two members adapted to receive said spout between them, one of said members being movable with relation to the other member and having a part adapted to engage said valve actuating device when the latter is in engagement with said stop and hold said movable member in a position to be actuated by the insertion of said spout between the two members to release said valveactuating device from said stop.

18. In a liquid dispensing can comprising a receptacle, a tiltable discharge spout leading from the lower portion of said receptacle, a valve to control the dischargeof liquid through said spout, a spring actuated device to actuate said valve, and a stop to hold said device against movement by said spring 5 in a direction to close the valve, a device to retain said spout in an upright position com- I prising a stationary member and a movable member, said movable member being pivot ally mounted between its ends, having on one side of its axis an inclined part adjacent to said stationary member and having on the other side of its axis a part adapted to engage said Valve actuating device when the latter is in engagement with said stop, said parts 7 5 being so arranged that the insertion of said spout between said stationary member and the inclined part of said movable member will cause said movable member tobe moved in a direction to move said valve actuating 4o device out of engagement with said stop.

19. In an oil can embodying a vertically swingable spout, a valve for said spout, means for opening said valve, catch means for holding the valve in open position when moved to said position, and means for closing the valve upon release of said catch means; a rigid hook fixedly secured to said can for engagement by said spout'to hold the latter normally raised, and a releasing rod for said catch means having an end which bars engagement of said spout with said rigid hook until the rod is so shifted as to release said catch means.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature hereto. 7

PAUL D. FULTON. 

